Research Faculty

Associate Professor

My laboratory has a long-standing interest in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and their differentiation capacity into a variety of cell types. I am particularly interested in developing experimental stem cell-based therapies for skin blistering diseases, such as Epidermolysis Bullosa, and connective tissue diseases, such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. My group also studies mechanisms of aging and the pathways that trigger rejuvenation during reprogramming into iPSCs.

Assistant Professor

My laboratory focuses on utilizing large-scale sequencing tools to better understand the mechanisms of cancer immunoediting. My primary focus of interest lies in studying the functions and interactions of innate immune cells and hair follicles in cancer immunoediting during skin cancer progression. The overarching goal of my research is to advance the development of immunotherapies aimed at treating cancer patients. 

Professor

Dr. Fujita is a tenured professor of Dermatology and Immunology & Microbiology, and a dermatologist at the Univ. of Colorado School of Medicine and VA Eastern Colorado Healthcare System, as well as a Director of Research Services, Dermatology RC-1S. The Fujita Lab studies biological roles and molecular regulations of 1) IL-1b, inflammasomes and autoinflammation in human melanoma, 2) IL-37 in adaptive immunity, 3) tumor heterogeneity in melanoma and its therapeutic resistance, and 4) damages to melanocytes and keratinocytes. The Lab is currently (as of January 2022) funded by NIH/NCI R01 (as a PI), NIH/NIAID R01 (as a PI), NIH/NIAAA R21 (as a PI),  VA Merit Awards (one as a PI and the other two as a co-I), University of Colorado Cancer Center grant (as a PI),  and the Cancer League of Colorado grants  (as a PI). Dr. Fujita produced 112 peer-reviewed publications, including 17 first-author papers and 38 senior-author papers.

Associate Professor

My laboratory is investigating the mechanisms leading to cellular reprogramming and aging, as well as induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC)-associated cellular rejuvenation. My group’s expertise in producing mRNA and manipulating RNA transfections was crucial for identifying and optimization of a cocktail of factors that can “rejuvenate” human somatic cells, which we can now deliver into cells via non-integrating clinically-relevant RNA molecules. My group is currently exploring the applicability of this somatic cell rejuvenation approach in improving outcomes of skin transplantation.

In addition, my laboratory works extensively with genetically corrected patient iPSCs and skin cells derived from these iPSCs as a potential therapeutic tool for the treatment of Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), a group of severe inherited skin blistering diseases.

Professor

My research focuses on understanding the role of cancer stem cells in the maintenance and resistance of skin cancer. We are developing stem cell therapies for inherited skin blistering diseases. We are also developing stem cell therapies for wound repair.

Associate Professor

The research focus in Dr. Shellman’s lab is on the study of melanoma and melanocytes, with the aim of bench-to-bedside. With a deep understanding of molecular and biochemical pathways, we aim to develop treatments to thwart melanomas’ anti-apoptotic defenses. We also study the cell death pathways, proliferation, differentiation, maintenance and development of melanocyte lineage, as well as the etiology of pigmentation disorders.  We use complementary in vitro and in vivo models, including human patient-derived iPSCs, transgenic mice, and mouse xenograft studies with patient relapsed melanomas. With these models, we aim to decipher the mechanisms of melanocyte lineage regulation in health and disease, and have identified potential treatments for difficult-to-treat melanomas. 

Search and score tankyrase-binding motifs with Dr. Shellman's site: https://shellmanlab.github.io/